H is for Hawk

How does Macdonald explore the theme of connection with nature?

Macdonald shows an immediate and deep emotional connection with the first hawk, describing the moment as “brilliance and fury,” suggesting awe and intensity. In contrast, her instinctive rejection of the second bird—“This isn’t my hawk”—highlights how intuitive and emotional her bond with animals is. Her protectiveness toward the first hawk and admiration for the breeder (“All at once I loved this man, and fiercely.”) further reveals how meaningful the connection is. By describing the hawk’s view of the world (“she can see everything”), Macdonald positions herself as spiritually and emotionally aligned with the bird, sharing its perspective.

How is the theme of grief presented in H is for Hawk?

Macdonald’s grief after her father’s death permeates the piece. Her intense desire to keep the first hawk symbolizes her need for emotional stability, mirroring the loss of her father. The hawk serves as a surrogate for the connection she’s lost, and her plea to keep the first bird is filled with desperation—“exhausted eyes pleading with him.” The breeder’s awareness that her request is “not a simple one” indicates the depth of her emotional need. The second paragraph’s detached tone and factual recounting of events reflect how grief can dull emotional responses and create a sense of disconnection.

How do short sentences contribute to the tone and tension in H is for Hawk?

Short, fragmented sentences like “Another hinge untied. Concentration. Infinite caution.” slow the pacing and create tension, emphasizing the precision required in handling the hawk and the anticipation of the moment. This mimics the heightened sensitivity of both bird and human.

What is the effect of repetition in the text?

The repetition of “thump” and “enormous, enormous” builds suspense and dramatizes the emergence of the hawk, portraying it as a powerful, almost mythical creature. This impression is reinforced by metaphors like “a griffon from the pages of an illuminated bestiary,” blending reality with fantasy.

How does Macdonald use metaphor and simile to describe the hawks?

Macdonald describes the hawks with fantastical metaphors—“broken marionette,” “turkey in a butcher’s shop,” and “conjuring trick”—to convey the strangeness and mystery of their appearance. These images suggest the birds exist between reality and myth. The second hawk is compared to a “madwoman in the attic,” drawing from Gothic literature to evoke discomfort and lack of connection.

: How is the natural world and the bird’s experience portrayed through metaphor?

The hawk’s disorientation is reflected in metaphors like “her world was an aviary no larger than a living room” and “a box,” which express the bird’s confinement and shock at sudden freedom. This also mirrors Macdonald’s emotional state—trapped by grief and disoriented by loss.

What is the effect of the allusion to Medea?

Comparing herself to Medea—a mythological figure associated with madness and vengeance—Macdonald emphasizes her own emotional turmoil. It reflects her irrational desperation to keep the first bird and suggests she feels dangerously close to losing control

How does Macdonald use polysyndeton and why?

The use of polysyndeton in “a whirring, chaotic clatter of wings and feet and talons and a high-pitched twittering” replicates the overwhelming sensory overload of the moment. The continuous flow of conjunctions mimics the chaos both the bird and Macdonald experience, blending the boundaries between their emotional states

How does internal dialogue reveal Macdonald’s emotional state?

Internal statements like “Oh.” and “This is my hawk” show her instinctive, gut reactions. The later contradiction—“This isn’t my hawk”—captures her distress as she’s forced to accept a hawk she doesn’t feel connected to. This inner conflict reflects her broader emotional instability following her father’s death.